Thomas Edward Santmyer Sr., 90, of Syracuse passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023. He was born March 2, 1933, in Utica, NY to Herman and Eva Santmyer. Tom was raised in Poland, NY and attended Poland High School where he was on the baseball, basketball and track teams. During the early 1950’s, Tom hitch-hiked from Rome, NY to California along Route 66. While out west, Tom was part of a group that observed the surface detonation of an atomic bomb, in Nevada.

Upon returning to New York State, Tome moved to Syracuse, where he worked in landscaping, drove a cab, and had a house painting business. In 1955 Tom obtained employment at Crucible Specialty Metals where he worked for forty-five years. At Crucible, Tom became a highly skilled millwright, assigned to the Rod and Bar Mill. Tom worked on the Salem furnace, the 9” mill, and other machinery that produced high quality steel.

Tom was a very active, and proud member of the United Steel Workers of America local 1277. Upon his retirement, Tom was active in the Steel-workers retirement club SOAR.

Tom hunted deer for forty-five years. Tom was also an avid gardener. Family members say he did not have a “green thumb”, but that he had a “green hand.” Every Summer Tom would grow a large garden, then drive around giving the produce to family, and neighbors. Tom would watch almost any sporting event but was especially fond of Syracuse University sports. He also attended almost every hockey and soccer game that his grandchildren, and great grandchildren played, as they were a very large part of Tom’s life.

Tom is survived by a daughter, Tina (Sean) Redmond, sons, Thomas Jr., and Timothy. Tom is also survived by six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Calling Hours will be Monday, March 20, 2023 from 4-7PM at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY. Services will be Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 11AM, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Onondaga Valley Cemetery, Syracuse, NY.